Japan’s Anime Industry Gets a Major Boost

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Summary

  • Japanese government is investing in anime to boost the economy.
  • The anime industry was worth 1.45 trillion yen ($10 million USD) in 2022.
  • New initiative aims to increase anime revenue to 20 trillion yen by 2033.

Japan is renowned for its robust industrial sector, housing global brands such as Panasonic, Nintendo, Toyota, Canon, among others. But there’s another significant aspect often associated with Japan that goes beyond cars and electronics – the world of anime. Indeed, anime has become a substantial financial contributor to Japan, and as its international appeal grows, it could potentially bring in more revenue for the country than ever before.

Despite the troubling aspects often associated with it, such as excessive work hours, meager pay, and instances of overwork-related suicides, the anime industry in Japan has long been a subject of concern. In an effort to enhance this sector and potentially increase its financial gains for Japan, the Japanese government has unveiled a fresh initiative. This new endeavor aims to not only expand but also sustain the anime industry within Japan, leveraging anime’s enduring appeal to stimulate economic growth by strategically channeling investments into promising areas.

Japanese Government Sees the Potential in Anime

Anime is a Multi-Million-Dollar Industry

The temporary name for the new endeavor aimed at strengthening the anime sector in Japan is the Industry-Academic Collaborative Anime Talent Development Panel. This drive is being spearheaded by the Agency for Cultural Affairs, an organization established to enhance Japan’s overall entertainment output, with a special focus on video games, films, music, and naturally, anime. The goal of this new initiative is to boost the anime industry, attract more professionals to join its ranks, and ultimately expand it even more.

Japanese newspaper Yomiuri Shimbun reports on the agency (translated from Japanese),

One main focus of the Agency is improving human resource development because, despite growing expectations for Japan’s animation industry growth, issues like low wages and excessive working hours at production sites remain unresolved. Creators have expressed worries about their future career prospects, with statements like, “I can’t see a clear path for my career ahead.” The Agency aims to assist them in gaining versatile skills suitable for every stage of their professional journey.

It’s no secret that anime plays a significant role in Japan’s economy, both within and beyond its borders. But just how substantial is this industry? In the year 2022, the worth of the anime industry was estimated to be approximately 1.45 trillion yen, which translates to around $10 million USD. Despite this impressive figure, the Japanese government aims for even greater success, targeting an increase in the anime industry’s value to 20 trillion yen, or over $140 billion USD, by the year 2033.

Achieving such an astronomical target may seem challenging, yet it’s not based on mere fantasy. The popularity of anime, particularly on a global scale, has soared significantly, with phenomenal series like “One Piece” and “Blue Lock” being endorsed by international sports teams. Anime merchandise is sold worldwide, and anime films have garnered global awards and recognition. Although boosting the industry’s revenue to 20 trillion yen will require significant effort, the government acknowledges its potential for generating more income than it currently does.

The Industry-Academic Collaborative Anime Human Resources Training Committee

How the Government Plans to Change the Anime Industry

According to what was previously mentioned, the Industry-Academic Collaborative Anime Workforce Development Committee intends to make significant improvements within the anime industry, with the aim of creating a more positive impact. One of their initial focuses will be on enhancing the work environment for those directly involved in the industry, as this aspect has historically been characterized by suboptimal conditions. If the reputation of the anime industry remains negative and discourages people from wanting to work there, it could eventually lead to a decline in anime productions. To ensure its longevity, the anime industry must adapt and improve its work environment.

The strategy the government initiative plans to employ is by focusing on education as a starting point. According to SoraNews24, the Agency for Cultural Affairs intends to take action in this area.

…we’re working on creating a set of recommendations to teach essential skills for animating, including roles like direction, storyboarding, sound design, and editing. We also aim to motivate studios, educational institutions, and technical schools to adopt these guidelines. Their curriculums will emphasize language proficiency in foreign tongues and property management, making creators more capable of venturing into international markets. Simultaneously, the Cultural Affairs Agency plans to inspire additional universities and technical schools to offer anime-related courses.

Beyond enhancing talents and attracting a larger workforce for the anime industry, the Agency additionally plans to aid anime production studios in preserving historical content by assisting with the conservation and restoration of vintage footage, thereby safeguarding valuable pieces of anime heritage.

The anime sector needs significant progress if it is to achieve the objectives set by the Agency for Cultural Affairs. It requires addressing decades of negative perceptions associated with the industry, while simultaneously fostering and encouraging interest in anime production among both existing and future workers. Given the escalating global appeal of anime, there’s no better moment than now to invest strategically and drive this change forward. By guiding the anime industry effectively, Japan can generate unprecedented income and, ideally, bring about an influx of top-tier anime for fans worldwide.

Sources: SoraNews24, Yomiuri Shimbun

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2025-04-17 19:44